Male Sex Performance Anxiety (MSPA) and Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Article 2 of 3. The link between MSPA and Panic attacks.

About male sexual performance anxiety.

Feeling anxious before sex is normal. But feeling so nervous that you cannot have sex, or enjoy sex, can mean that you have sexual performance anxiety. A person who has this anxiety condition, is often overcome by a fear that he will be unable to perform either before (such as foreplay) or during the sexual encounter.

The condition is mostly governed by psychological issues which include, low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, and deep fears of rejection. Studies have shown that untreated MSPA is one of the major causes of erectile dysfunction, particularly when there is no underlying medical reason involved. The longer stress about your sexual relations is allowed to proceed, the more performance anxiety will be able to feed on itself until ED is rampant, and almost impossible for you to have sex.

Some physical symptoms of anxiety and stress.

You may have heard on the grapevine from some uninformed people that stress and anxiety is only in the head, but this is completely incorrect. If you have anxiety you may well frequently feel worried, nervous, or afraid of ordinary events. However, anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweaty palms, or shaky legs. These symptoms can potentially harm your health and make daily life difficult. Here are some common physical symptoms of general anxiety and stress:

·        Stomach pain and nausea.

·        Digestive upheavals which can lead to colon problems such as painful spasms.

·        Disturbed sleeping patterns and other sleep issues like insomnia.

·        Lack of energy or fatigue.

·        Rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath.

·        Migraines and headaches.

·        Intense sweating, and body shaking or trembling.

·        Muscle tension, or painful cramping.

You may not experience all the symptoms listed, but any of them, if left untreated, can lead to a serious condition, such as panic attacks.

About panic attacks.

A panic attack usually happens without warning, and can take place anywhere, at any time. Although there are many causes for panic attacks, mental health experts agree that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often to blame. PTSD is the remnant of traumatic events which remain in the subconscious mind, and are triggered by events which may result in in a full-blown panic attack.

The symptoms of a panic attack can include:

·        Chest pains so severe that you feel that you are about to die.

·        A choking feeling and difficulty catching your breath.

·        Tingling, shaking, and numbing sensations in parts of the body.

·        Feel faint, light-headed, and dizzy – with a fear that you may pass out.

·        Alternately feeling very hot body-heat, and ice-cold chills.

These symptoms can be so scary that people have been taken to the ER because of fears that it may be a dangerous heart attack. The relief that it is a panic attack, is always tinged with anxiety that it could happen again.

The link between panic attacks and MSPA.

Because panic attacks are usually the result of post-traumatic stress disorder, so if PTSD is present, and studies have shown that a panic attack can happen during sex, this can impact on already problematic sexual performance anxiety. Panic attacks during sex are not limited to people who have suffered sexual trauma. A general anxiety disorder, or a panic disorder, have also been known to trigger a panic attack during intimacy.

However, if the attacks are recurring, there might indeed be a root cause such as unresolved sexual trauma, and a panic attack can be set off by a mental flashback. Expert researchers agree that if there an identifiable root cause, treatment by a mental health professional is essential, who might suggest therapy, or medications – or both. For a man who has sexual performance anxiety hassles, the idea that a panic attack could happen during sex, must rate at the top of his list of fears.

Erectile dysfunction issues, linked to the performance anxiety condition, may also become more pronounced and lead to more problems.

What can you do if you have a panic attack during sex?

The first thing to do is to stop the sexual encounter and explain that there is nothing wrong, although you may be trembling and shaking and battling to breathe. Step back and take some deep breaths to calm yourself down, and try and focus on staying in the moment. At first your partner might have a hard time understanding what is going on, but if your relationship is good, you can, at a later stage, detail the kind of feelings you experienced. And how it wasn’t anybody’s fault.

It is even possible, once everything has calmed down, to resume the sexual encounter, if you are both in agreement.

A panic attack during sex is not an every day occurrence, but if you continue to have them during sex, it could be part of a mental issue or unresolved trauma. Panic attacks can happen anywhere, anytime, and happening persistently during sex, can add a huge impetus to your performance anxiety issues. Erectile dysfunction problems may suddenly become much worse, and unless treatment for MSPA is urgently sought, your relationship, and sex life, could be ruined.

Identifying the problem.

With the ED in mind, the doctor will first do a physical examination and tests, to pinpoint any underlying medical reason which may be causing the erectile dysfunction. Tests can include blood work to see if there is a good blood flow to the genital areas, and hormonal tests to make sure that testosterone levels are not too low.

If all is well physically, the doctor should conclude that the ED is more than likely a symptom of MSPA. In other words, a psychological or mental health issue, which needs to be dealt with differently to a physical issue.

Your doctor will probably suggest that you visit a psychotherapist, such as a hypnotherapist, to get the type of help you need for MSPA.

An alternative therapy.

Mental health experts agree that if MSPA is a factor in ED difficulties, treating the anxiety first, can help to alleviate ED problems. Hypnotherapy is a non-invasive technique to relieve stress and anxiety by accessing the subconscious mind, and helping to eliminate bad memories and unresolved trauma which contribute to MSPA.  These bad memories and trauma may be factors which trigger the panic attacks that happen without warning. Treating anxiety and stress, which hold you captive to bad responses to emotional triggers, will help you create a new, positive mindset, devoid of negative harmful thoughts. 

Some more ways hypnotherapy can restore your sexual confidence.

·        Teach you how to stay in the moment during sex without worrying about what may or may not happen.

·        Help you to remove other stressful factors from your life which may be holding you back.

·        Recreate your self-esteem, and restore your self-confidence.

·        Give you the courage to discuss any personal sexual concerns with your partner, which can help to keep your relationship on a good footing.

Male Sexual Performance Anxiety is a fairly common type of sexual dysfunction, suffered by millions of men worldwide. With the right treatment, it is not a life sentence, and is fully recoverable. Studies have shown that hypnotherapy is a very effective means of dealing with performance anxiety.

An added bonus is the fact that the treatment is also instrumental in dealing with a general anxiety syndrome, which will support your health and feelings of well-being.

For more information about hypnotherapy techniques, contact Matthew at Matthew Tweedie Hypnosis.au.org.